These birds

The point of attraction in the above picture is surely not the rose. There are three of our avian friends over there (if you look closely there are four) but then if you look at the picture below you may have trouble counting them.

These are the Scaly breasted Finch (Munia)

Every year during monsoon they flock to this balcony for the bird feed that they get. In fact this housing complex has got about 110 flats, but these birds like to visit only this balcony (probably they know where the bird feed is available in plenty) 

Its amazing how nature works. This year the rains were late but the Munias were here (at the dot on the onset of the monsoon as per the calendar)

They are extremely shy. So they don’t come directly to the balcony. Their first stop is this tree close to the balcony 

Once they know that the coast is clear, they move on to the next stop – the balcony.   

Then they take turns hoping on to the floor where the bird feed is spread.   

The slightest sound or movement from inside the house makes them scamper back to the first base. (as can be seen in the video)

I remember a pair had made a nest at my place exactly four years ago on which I had written a blog.

Incidentally this is the balcony of the house where our 93 year old friend keeps herself busy by painting and knitting.  While I was there clicking the Munia, I saw her painting a bird on a fabric. 

The video  below is the result of clicking and shooting for three consecutive days by hiding, stalking, peeping and sometimes even using camouflage.

Enjoy . . . . . (if you are watching it on YouTube, keep the setting to 720pHD for clarity)